Bainbridge High School senior Ashley Waddell was recently recognized as one of the school’s outstanding young citizens.

Waddell, the daughter of Dee and Greg Waddell, was named the winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award at BHS. DAR representative Carolyn Pierce congratulated Waddell on her award, which represents the characteristics of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

“I was very surprised, but I feel honored to win,” Waddell said.
BHS faculty nominated three seniors for the award, and then the students voted on those three finalists to determine the winner. BHS principal Tommie Howell said this is one of the most prestigious awards that is presented to a BHS senior.

“I would say this is one of our biggest awards, and Ashley is a very deserving recipient,” he said.

Waddell will receive the actual award during a DAR luncheon Thursday, Feb. 7.

Waddell is a member of the BHS Future Farmers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Interact Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Decatur County Youth Leadership Steering Committee, and CATS For Youth, among other organizations. She has also volunteered regularly at community activities, including Rivers Alive, the Friendship House of Jesus, and the Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society.

Waddell plans to attend The University of Georgia in Athens, and study pre-medicine. She hopes to eventually become an anesthesiologist.

As the BHS winner, Waddell was asked to write an essay on citizenship. Her essay will serve as her entry in the DAR district competition later this year.

Waddell’s essay talked about the freedoms promised to American citizens, but also pointed out that those freedoms have evolved throughout history. For example, she noted that an amendment to the U.S. Constitution eventually gave women the right to vote, and that some lawbreakers can lose some of their rights.

“The freedoms we are given are not to be abused, but to be wisely used, or they will be taken from us,” Waddell wrote. “It is our duty, as American citizens, to be aware of our changing rights and freedoms.

“It is always important to speak out for what you believe, which is one of our great freedoms. As citizens, we need to have a good understanding of what our country stands for.”